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Ministers back 'fit note' plans Ministers back 'fit note' plans
(about 5 hours later)
Employee "fit notes" are to be brought in as part of government efforts to cut the amount of money lost to the economy from workplace absenteeism.Employee "fit notes" are to be brought in as part of government efforts to cut the amount of money lost to the economy from workplace absenteeism.
The idea is for GPs in England to spell out those tasks workers can perform rather than the traditional "sick note" focusing on what they cannot do.The idea is for GPs in England to spell out those tasks workers can perform rather than the traditional "sick note" focusing on what they cannot do.
There will also be more support to help people back to work with firms encouraged to promote healthier living.There will also be more support to help people back to work with firms encouraged to promote healthier living.
A report in March warned ill-health was costing the economy £100bn a year.A report in March warned ill-health was costing the economy £100bn a year.
Returning to workReturning to work
Ministers have accepted recommendations made by government health advisor Dame Carol Black that the system of GPs issuing sick notes, in place since 1948, should be overhauled.Ministers have accepted recommendations made by government health advisor Dame Carol Black that the system of GPs issuing sick notes, in place since 1948, should be overhauled.
Trials replacing paper notes with electronic fit notes are underway and, if successful, the new system could be in place by 2010.Trials replacing paper notes with electronic fit notes are underway and, if successful, the new system could be in place by 2010.
Poor health can prevent people fulfilling their potential, leaving them more likely to slip into poverty and social exclusion Health Secretary Alan Johnson Q&A: Work and healthPoor health can prevent people fulfilling their potential, leaving them more likely to slip into poverty and social exclusion Health Secretary Alan Johnson Q&A: Work and health
The new fit notes, outlining what duties an employee could do, would be passed on to employers if he or she agreed.The new fit notes, outlining what duties an employee could do, would be passed on to employers if he or she agreed.
It is hoped this would leave managers better informed about their workers' needs and able to discuss ways of keeping them in work such as changing their working hours or altering their duties.It is hoped this would leave managers better informed about their workers' needs and able to discuss ways of keeping them in work such as changing their working hours or altering their duties.
The notes are intended to form part of a package of support offered by employers and health professionals to help staff with problems stay in work and to return to the workplace as soon as possible. The notes are intended to form part of a package of support to help staff with problems stay in work and to return to the workplace as soon as possible.
Dame Carol's report highlighted the impact on economic productivity of improving occupational health and reducing the number of people, currently more than 2.7 million of whom, are on incapacity benefits.Dame Carol's report highlighted the impact on economic productivity of improving occupational health and reducing the number of people, currently more than 2.7 million of whom, are on incapacity benefits.
Unions have long complained that there is insufficient support for people unable to work due to sickness or injury.Unions have long complained that there is insufficient support for people unable to work due to sickness or injury.
Health Secretary Alan Johnson, who has also announced a review of the health of NHS workers, said he wanted to help encourage people off work to return as "soon as possible".Health Secretary Alan Johnson, who has also announced a review of the health of NHS workers, said he wanted to help encourage people off work to return as "soon as possible".
GPs role
"Helping people stay in work doesn't just have an economic imperative," he said."Helping people stay in work doesn't just have an economic imperative," he said.
"It has a moral and social one too. Poor health can prevent people fulfilling their potential, leaving them more likely to slip into poverty and social exclusion.""It has a moral and social one too. Poor health can prevent people fulfilling their potential, leaving them more likely to slip into poverty and social exclusion."
GPs role
At the moment, a GP has the power to sign someone off work for six months before the case is passed onto a benefits administrator.At the moment, a GP has the power to sign someone off work for six months before the case is passed onto a benefits administrator.
But some GPs have been frustrated with the current system because they are unable to assess what work an employee can do if they do not know what their workplace responsibilities are. OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH FACTS 172 million working days lost through sickness in 2007This cost more than £100bn in lost productivity2.6 million people were on incapacity benefits in MayAbsences of four days or more account for 40% of days lostNearly six million people in the UK say they have a long-standing health conditionSources: CBI; Black reportBut some GPs have been frustrated with the current system because they are unable to assess what work an employee can do if they do not know what their workplace responsibilities are. OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH FACTS 172 million working days lost through sickness in 2007This cost more than £100bn in lost productivity2.6 million people were on incapacity benefits in MayAbsences of four days or more account for 40% of days lostNearly six million people in the UK say they have a long-standing health conditionSources: CBI; Black report
About 350,000 people a year transfer from sick notes to benefits, a figure which experts believe could be cut significantly with earlier and more effective intervention.About 350,000 people a year transfer from sick notes to benefits, a figure which experts believe could be cut significantly with earlier and more effective intervention.
However, some GPs are concerned that they could end up having to "police" the new system, threatening their independence.However, some GPs are concerned that they could end up having to "police" the new system, threatening their independence.
Dr Laurence Buckman, chairman of the British Medical Association's GP Committee, said: "The new fit note has potential but we would like to see the findings of this evaluation because it's crucial GPs can continue to act as the patient's advocate and don't end up policing the system for the Department for Work and Pensions."
Other proposals include a pilot scheme for those newly off sick to be allocated a case manager to tailor a back-to-work programme for them with the help of physios, counsellors and other health professionals.Other proposals include a pilot scheme for those newly off sick to be allocated a case manager to tailor a back-to-work programme for them with the help of physios, counsellors and other health professionals.
Health experts could also be present at job centres in the future to assess the particular needs and problems of job applicants - and employment advisors in GP surgeries to advise on opportunities.Health experts could also be present at job centres in the future to assess the particular needs and problems of job applicants - and employment advisors in GP surgeries to advise on opportunities.
Economic boostEconomic boost
Dame Carol, national director for health and work, welcomed the government's response to her report but said attitudes to sickness among employers, especially regarding mental health problems, did need to change if progress was to be made.Dame Carol, national director for health and work, welcomed the government's response to her report but said attitudes to sickness among employers, especially regarding mental health problems, did need to change if progress was to be made.
"We have to make an employer believe that if he invests in the health and wellbeing of his staff, it will meet his bottom line," she said."We have to make an employer believe that if he invests in the health and wellbeing of his staff, it will meet his bottom line," she said.
Liberal Democrat health spokesman Norman Lamb said: "This is a serious issue which deserves a sophisticated approach, but we must be wary of moving to a system where doctors find themselves policing the benefits system rather than treating the sick.
Workers made ill by their jobs need early access to rehabilitation and better support to help them get back to work Brendan Barber, TUCWorkers made ill by their jobs need early access to rehabilitation and better support to help them get back to work Brendan Barber, TUC
"If ministers are serious about helping people on long term sick leave back to work, they should focus on providing better access to effective treatment for the many people on incapacity benefit with mental health problems." Liberal Democrat health spokesman Norman Lamb said: "This is a serious issue which deserves a sophisticated approach, but we must be wary of moving to a system where doctors find themselves policing the benefits system rather than treating the sick."
Business groups said the interests of employers and their workers should be aligned when it came to improving occupational health.Business groups said the interests of employers and their workers should be aligned when it came to improving occupational health.
"Healthier employees means a reduction in the worrying levels of obesity and other big diseases, a reduction in health and incapacity benefit costs and will enable forward thinking companies to maintain their competitiveness," said Paul Loynes, a member of Business in the Community's health policy team.
But unions said the proposals did not go far enough in assisting people or improving how safety and health risks are managed and policed in the workplace.But unions said the proposals did not go far enough in assisting people or improving how safety and health risks are managed and policed in the workplace.
"Workers made ill by their jobs need early access to rehabilitation and better support to help them get back to work as soon as they are able to," said TUC general secretary Brendan Barber."Workers made ill by their jobs need early access to rehabilitation and better support to help them get back to work as soon as they are able to," said TUC general secretary Brendan Barber.